Trees to grow in Brooklyn, thanks to $10M pledge

Mayor Michael Bloomberg and David Rockefeller announced Tuesday a $10 million pledge to plant thousands of trees across the city.

The private funds, from Rockefeller and Bloomberg Philanthropies, will go toward the city's MillionTreesNYC initiative. More than 18,000 trees will be planted in public spaces, housing projects and schools throughout the five boroughs.

"Six neighborhoods will serve as a starting point for MillionTreesNYC because they have the lowest tree coverage and the highest asthma rates," said Bloomberg.

East New York is one Brooklyn neighborhood that will see the new foliage first. The announcement came on Earth Day. Bloomberg made April 2008 MillionTreesNYC Month by mayoral proclamation.